Cal Vs UCLA: Keys To The Game
So it looks like UCLA can play as a team as we saw in the double overtime win against Stanford. Several things went well for the Bruins in that game and if they want to continue to have success, they need to continue to do the same things in their upcoming games, starting today against California. Here are the keys to the game for the Bruins in Cal Vs UCLA.
Spread The Ball Around
December 3, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Tony Parker (23) moves to the basket against the Cal State Fullerton Titans during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Once again, UCLA got all five starters scoring in double-digits. Kevon Looney was a wild man in UCLA’s double-overtime win against the Cardinal as he scored a team and career-high 27 points n the victory. Though Bryce Alford shot the ball more (as he said he would to try to break his shooting slump), so did other Bruins. Alford and Tony Parker shot the ball 13 times as Looney and Isaac Hamilton shot 12 times.
Though the bench did not tally a single point in that game, they were affective in helping the team play as one. Gyorgy Goloman, who has played limited minutes this season, had three assists in the win against Stanford.
Keep Going Down Low
UCLA Bruins
Kevon Looney and Tony Parker were on fire in the second half of the game against the Cardinal. Looney is an athletic specimen and can score from anywhere on the court, but he did well getting to the basket. As for Parker, it seemed as though he is slowly becoming the center we all hoped he would as is becoming a dominant force down low.
Not only did both score over and over in the win, but they were also the leading rebounders for the game as Parker pulled down 12 boards and Looney 19. Stanford could not stop the two big men from doing what they do in this game, which is why UCLA needs to continue to establish a low-post threat and not shoot the ball from beyond the arc on nearly every possession.
Get The Bench Involved
Even though UCLA’s bench scored ZERO points in their 86-81 win over Stanford, Goloman, Thomas Welsh, and Noah Allen played more minutes in this game than they have before. Though that is mostly due to double overtime, these three Bruins were needed on the court because of an injuries to Norman Powell as well as Bryce Alford fouling out for the last overtime.
Jan 8, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Gyorgy Goloman (14) and Stanford Cardinal center Stefan Nastic (4) reach for a rebound in the second half of the game at Pauley Pavilion. UCLA won 86-81 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The bench managed to play solid ball for UCLA and though it did not translate to points, having them play more will give them a lot more confidence as the season goes on. Now if these three players can find a way to score, then the Bruins will be that much more effective going forward.